What is a Kindle?

The Kindle, from Amazon, is a dynamic electronic book. Some call it an e-reader. Instead of carrying around paper-based media, the Kindle allows you to load books and periodicals in digital format. Newspapers may also be coming soon.

Phones get smaller, computers get smaller, the Kindle has actually grown. It's supposed to be big, like a sheet of paper. As other technologies shrink, the Kindle remains true to paper-based formats.

Amazon plans to act as an intermediary between readers and publishers. Instead of creating content for the Kindle, Amazon will allow publishing houses to provide their books and periodicals, which Amazon will make available for Kindle owners. This arrangement is much less threatening for traditional publishers.

Will this become an industry standard? The Kindle is more ecologically responsible that paper-based publishing models. On the other hand, leaving a $4.95 paperback in the airport is much less traumatic than misplacing a $359 Kindle.

Pros

Uses no paper

Wireless access to the 3G network

Over 250,000 titles available with more being added all the time

Cons

Pricey: Version 2 is $359

No color: the display is black and white with colorful shades of gray

Sony's eBook reader is about $100 cheaper (but the books do cost more)